The Railway Murders

I liked this book. I really liked this book…this talented and gifted author has written a cannot put down novel. The characters are likable and since the book is character driven, that is important. This book was sent to me electronically by Netgalley for review. Thanks to the publisher for the copy. I was hooked from the quote on the first page..I really enjoyed the quotes, explanations, etc. think Agatha Christie…a linear timeline…third person…not jumping from one time to the next or one character to the next…just a good mystery novel. No language to skip over…no inappropriate scenes….intriguing mystery…whodunit…intrigue at its best…it was difficult to guess the ending because of the red herrings. I cannot wait for more books from this author. I cannot say enough good things about this book. Oh, did I say I really really liked this mystery? Don’t miss reading this delightful book. Curl up in a cozy chair with a warm blanket…a cup of steaming herbal tea…a delicious scone and be transported.

Mystery In Traditional Vein…
The Yorkshire Murder Mystery series returns with the eighth instalment which finds Oldroyd investigating a locked room type murder on the Wharfedale vintage railway. The murder is indeed bizarre but when bodies begin to mount Oldroyd needs to act fast. Little does he know that the case is about to get very personal indeed. With a solid puzzle at heart, a cast of well crafted and credible characters and a nicely plotted tale peppered with red herrings this is a gentle mystery in traditional vein and a delightful addition to this very enjoyable series. Particularly entertaining are the snippets before each chapter heading making reference to a particular vintage mystery or film tied up with mysteries on the railways - a truly delicious touch.

It must be hard to keep a long-running series fresh for long but the 8th volume in the Yorkshire Murder Mysteries recaptured my interest. DCI Oldroyd and his team investigate another devilishly difficult locked-room murder, this time inside the carriage of a vintage train. As always, there is a large cast of suspects and I didn’t figure out whodunit till the end. The chemistry among the characters still works, and I love the interactions between Oldroyd and Steph. The novel is very atmospheric and it’s easy to imagine the settings. I actually Googled one of the landmarks and it looked just as described. I had some small issues with part of the plot. I’m trying to stay away from spoilers but, wouldn’t a victim’s legal name be the first thing to establish in a criminal investigation? Such small details were distracting but the rest of the plot was enjoyable enough that I decided to ignore them.
I chose to read this book and all opinions in this review are my own and completely unbiased. Thank you, #NetGalley/#Amazon Publishing UK, Thomas & Mercer!

This was an an entertaining and easy to read locked room cozy mystery. I've read all the previous books in the series and enjoyed this one as well.

Thanks to NetGalley for the ARC.

This is a great British mystery about murder on the railway during a movie filming. The lead investigator is genius but also has heart. He must balance the needs of the investigation and his own needs. He has a life outlook that I would love to follow. He has 2 investigators that are a great complement to his investigative style. Despite the challenges, he is committed to the case and to his partner.

The cast of characters on the movie set are diverse and yet also stereotypical. You have little sympathy for the womanizing victim - even less so as the story unfolds. The initial crime scene was so well designed and executed that it should have remained unsolved. As key pieces are uncovered, the murder evolves into a string of connected crimes that have their roots in the past. Incredibly well written, with so many facets that tie together seamlessly by the conclusion.

This book is a thrilling read from page 1! Now that I know this is part of a series, I am hooked!

The Railway Murders is the 8th novel in the Yorkshire Murder Mysteries series. I have read all of the ,mysteries in J.R. Ellis' series. These novels have gotten better over time and are now like greeting a group of old friends. The plotting is carefully constructed, with a nice grouping of regular characters, with enough new characters to make solving the murder(s) more difficult. I did solve the identity of one of the co-conspirators quite early in the novel. The foreshadowing that occurred early in the novel also made clear that there were at least 3 people involved. British murder mysteries are governed by rules of time and location, and Ellis is very good about sticking with the rules.

While reading The Railway Murders, I was also picturing how it could be depicted as a television series. Ellis is getting close to the complexity of character development that is required for a television serial. The characters in The Railway Murders are interesting and many have moved beyond cliche and stereotype. I would like to see more complexity, though, especially in the central characters--Jim, Stephanie, and Andy. The Railway Murders did a nice job of better developing Deborah, whose personality in quiet moments was much better defined, especially in the barn, where her inner life came through nicely. While Jim has now moved beyond the pining and whining ex-husband stereotype--thankfully!--he has more room to grow into the kind of complex character that Ellis has shown he can achieve. Ann Cleeves' Vera has that kind of complexity, as does Perez. I think Ellis has it in him to do the same.

I want to thank the author and publisher for providing this ARC, in exchange for my honest review. Thank you also to NetGalley for introducing me to this author.

By the way, Amazon has begun refusing to publish reviews in which ARC copies are mentioned. They also reject references to NetGalley.

A simply told mystery, reminiscent of Agatha Christie in the best way. The setting was great. The people were character-y, in that the book itself felt like a play they were putting on. That often doesn't work, but it did here.

The Railway Murders by J.R. Ellis

When a film shoot on Wharfedale’s vintage railway turns into a grisly crime scene, DCI Oldroyd’s idyllic visit to the countryside with his partner Deborah is well and truly stopped in its tracks. One of the film’s stars has been shot dead in a train carriage while the cameras rolled outside. But nobody else went in—or came out. Has the killer really pulled off the perfect, impossible crime?
Give me a book about Yorkshire and I'm in. Give me a book about Yorkshire where the author obviously knows and loves the place as much as me and I'm hooked.
Great plot , exciting , well written as all his titles and fabulous characters.
J.R. Ellis has done it again.

In Yorkshire, a film crew has turned a heritage railway into a film set. A day of filming does not go as planned when one of the supporting cast, an aging, ego-driven man who uses and discards people, does not exit the train compartment as expected. Instead, he is found with a bullet hole in his head. No one seems particularly sorry about his fate. The investigation ensues.

This appears to be one of a series and seems to be written as a kind of homage to traditional locked room mysteries. Each of the 6 chapters begins with a short description of a classic book and or film that involves railways as a major part of the plot.

I decided to read this book because another reviewer, who loved it, recommended it to me. It was a pleasant and interesting read.

Easy reading pleasure
This is the eighth book in the Yorkshire Murder Mystery series and for me it was the author's first book. The sympathetic team of investigators appears to be the same in all cases, but no prior knowledge is assumed. I could easily read this book without knowing the previous seven. As expected, the writing style is practiced and fluent and nothing to complain about. The characters were described in a believable and understandable manner. The crime plot is a bit simple, the investigations are conducted superficially and unfortunately investigative approaches are not consistently pursued. The extraordinary setting in an old train is something different and is well described. The Yorkshire region and its attractions are incorporated into the action and stimulate the desire for a holiday in the region. All in all, an easy, not too demanding thriller.

I must admit to having a soft spot for JR Ellis and his Yorkshire Murders series. There's a charm about the books that's akin to having a hug. They all have murders, but like in the fiction of the twenties, these aren't graphic. The Railway Murders is no different. A solid story that lets you escape the world.

This book is centred on the fictional Wharfedale railway. Whilst a film is being made, an actor is murdered in a locked carriage and no-one can work out how and who did it. Enter DI Oldroyd, who has a history of solving unfathomable cases. Along with his team, he sets out to find the murderer. Whilst staying with his partner near the scene, she is kidnapped and Oldroyd is forced to leave the case to his team.

Like I say, I like this series of books. Oldroyd's team is fiercely loyal. They assist Oldroyd, yet he is the driving force behind the team. It's him that comes up with the way the murder is committed, albeit with the indirect thoughts of others. This works well, Oldroyd is like Poirot and Miss Marple, a detective that gets results. I guess these fall into the cozy murders' genre, but yet the writing makes the places come alive. The Yorkshire settings set the books in the real world and make for interesting reading when you know the places they've been to.

All in all a first class read. It doesn't break what isn't broken, just continues doing what it excels at, a great story with a positive ending. I can recommend this series of books to anyone who enjoys cozy murders. They are a timeless series that keeps giving good storylines with a cast that are very likeable. If you haven't discovered these, then why not?

Although The Railway Murders is the 8th installment in the Yorkshire Murder Mystery series, it was the first one I'd read. I loved the premise and style of the book--an old-fashioned locked room mystery. Ellis did a great job of setting the scene; the plot was enjoyable and undemanding, which is just what I'm looking for in a cozy mystery. I did find the dialogue to be somewhat stilted and the characters a bit one-dimensional, though. A solid effort.

I really enjoyed reading this most entertaining mystery. It was action packed as well as filled with suspense. Detective Inspector Jim Oldroyd tries to discover the identity of the person who killed an actor while the film crew was shooting a scene on a railroad. The case becomes even more complicated when an antique railroad volunteer is shot down at the film site and then when Oldroyd's partner, Deborah Fingleton, is kidnapped while walking on a nearby tourist trail. I highly recommend this book to other mystery readers. I received an ARC of this book from Net Galley, and the opinion expressed
is strictly my own.

Wow this was dull. An interesting premise—a locked door mystery on A film set—yet it plod on and on. Usually film settings are full of colorful characters—not this one. I gave up on this.

I loved this book, it is eighth in the series but can definitely be read as a stand-alone. It is a well written, cozy mystery and I highly recommend the series.

Good story line. I have found this to be very similar to previous books in the series. Still a good read though.

271 pages

4 stars

Trains, actors and cops. Who could want anything more in a novel?

DCI Jim Oldroyd is enjoying his day off with a bit of bird watching. He receives a call from an old colleague named DI Bob Craven asking for his assistance on a puzzling case.

An actor was shot to death in a “locked” coach on a train. The crew was filming the scene, and no one was seen entering or leaving the coach.

Just the kind of case that Oldroyd liked.

His partner, Deborah, tags along as the filming site is near a spa.

Immediately a person is interviewed that strongly objected to the film crew “misusing” the train in their “trashy” movie. Also one of the railway workers is shot to death right after he calls someone with an idea of how the crime was committed.

The actor who was murdered was not well liked. He left a string of disappointed lovers and ex-wives and was a “snob” when he interacted with his cohorts. He and the director of the film, Gerald Blake, had an argument the morning of the murder.

There must be more going on.

Oldroyd’s team begins to look at the actor’s past. Did he change his name? Who is he really? Information is quickly found that validates Oldroyd’s suspicions.

When Deborah goes missing, the tension in the story ratchets up. The team must solve this case quickly and find Deborah.

J.R. Ellis’ character Oldroyd is one of my favorites. While this story is not quite up to his usual level of brilliance, it is still a good and enjoyable story. The writing is clear and easy to read. The story moves quickly and is satisfying. I will continue to read Mr. Ellis’ novels.

I want to thank NetGalley and Amazon Publishing UK/Thomas & Mercer for forwarding to me a copy of this very good book for me to read, enjoy and review. The opinions expressed in this review are solely my own.

3.5 stars, rounded up
The Railway Murders is a locked room murder mystery, although this time, it’s more a locked train compartment. An historical film is being filmed when during a scene, an actor turns up dead. DCI Oldroyd is brought in to investigate. The actor is an old rogue, with three marriages behind him, a habit of groping the young actresses and a pile of debts. Needless to say, this means there are plenty of suspects. But the question is who had the ability to plan out the murder and accomplish it? Soon, there’s a second death.
Ellis writes in a style that makes it easy to envision every scene. He also has a love of the area as some of its sights are lovingly described. He made me want to visit.
The story moves at a consistent pace with plenty of action and lots of red herrings. The plot was well thought out and plausible. I had no clue who the murderer was. I enjoy the main characters and there’s a nice blend of personal vs. professional lives here.
This is the 8th in the Yorkshire Murder mystery series but can easily be read as a stand-alone.
I love that each chapter starts with a summary of a classic railroad mystery.
My thanks to Netgalley and Amazon Publishing UK for an advance copy of this book.

When an actor in an Edwardian period movie is found dead in an empty railway carriage during filming, the DI of the Skipton station calls in DCI Jim Oldroyd. There was no way anyone could have gotten into or out of the compartment and no one saw or heard anything.
In this newest case for Oldroyd, he is again called into a puzzling murder investigation. When another murder takes place and then a kidnapping, he and his team know they are closing in,
A quick, enjoyable and scenic mystery with a satisfying conclusion.
Thank you NetGalley and Thomas & Mercer for this e-galley of "The Railway Murders".

A solid police procedural with a beautiful Yorkshire Dales setting, this book is a very enjoyable read. Although part of a series, it easily works as a stand alone novel. The plot moves along at a steady pace, and there are some good twists towards the end. I absolutely loved the descriptions of bird song, budding flowers, etc.

A film crew is filming at the old Lower Whafedale railway station. But during filming one of the actors is murdered. But this will not be the last one. DCI Jim Oldroyd and his team investigate. But what could be the motive
Unfortunately they missed an obvious procedure to determine the killer much earlier.
But overall an enjoyable modern mystery.
An ARC was provided by the publisher via Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.

Such an entertaining, clever and challenging book. This was worthy of the great Sherlock Holmes! I spent ages trying to puzzle out out the murder could have been carried out and the murdered escape. I loved the period feel of the book too , with the steam trains and the actors in costumes . The police characters were immensely likeable too . Very cleverly constructed and very well written, with brilliant characterisation and plot. I would love to read more of these .

I would like to thank Netgalley and Amazon Publishing UK for and advance copy of The Railway Murders, the eighth novel to feature DCI Jim Oldroyd of North Yorkshire Police.

A film shoot at a steam railway station is thrown into disarray when one of the lead actors is shot in a moving carriage with the film crew outside and the perpetrator has vanished. DCI Oldroyd is asked to investigate because puzzling crimes are his specialty and he takes his partner Deborah to Wharfdale with him for a break. After another murder she finds she has bitten off more than she can chew.

I enjoyed The Railway Murders, which is a baffling, locked room style story that held my attention throughout. I have read several novels in this series and think that the execution of the crimes is overly complicated and this is no different. Still, it is a feature and I like the puzzle they present. Of course, my mind does not work like the author’s so I didn’t guess this one either, be it how the murder was done or the killer’s identity.

The novel is told from various points of view and while the killer features there is not the slightest hint about identity or motive. Oldroyd and the team therefore believe that victimology will reveal all, but Daniel Hayward, a womaniser and debtor with an awkward personality has many detractors, so it’s not until the end of the novel that the motive becomes clear and with it the perpetrator. By this time Oldroyd already knows the how, having taken inspiration from small comments made by others.

The Railway Murders is not the most polished novel and it has its feet firmly planted in Yorkshire, but its warmth and the conundrum of how the murder was committed mean that I can recommend it as a good read.

This locked room mystery had me from page one! On a movie set an actor is murdered in a train carriage while the cameras rolled outside. Detective Inspector Oldroyd and his team have to figure out how the murderer got in and out of the carriage without being seen, while investigating the many enemies the victim had. This was a twisty mystery with plenty of red herrings. I enjoyed it immensely. Thank you to the publisher and to netgalley for providing me with an advance readers copy!

*3.5 stars rounded up.

Book #8 is the latest in a British police procedural series set in Yorkshire. The plot is a twist on the 'locked room' trope. A film set in Edwardian England is being shot at Wharfedale Railway where the lead actor is found murdered in one of the vintage steam engine's compartments. There was no way in or out without being observed so where did the murderer disappear to? Detective Chief Inspector Jim Oldroyd is called in to lend a hand on the case by Detective Inspector Bob Craven at the Skipton police station who feels overwhelmed by the complexity of the case.

It's a head scratcher, alright, and of course no one saw anything. The victim was not a very honorable person so there's no end of suspects and motives to sort through. But then another man is killed and someone Oldroyd cares about is threatened. Just what in the world is going on here?

Interesting characters, intriguing mystery and the lovely Yorkshire setting make for a quick and entertaining read. Ellis is a diehard Yorkshireman and that shows in his descriptions of the locale and even a bit of poetry.

One of the characters mentions going to a branch of the famous Betty's Cafe in Ilkey for one of their iconic Fat Rascals, described as a large, rich, fruity scone. Of course, as a baker, I had to look for a recipe for that and found one that claims to be close to Betty's of York Tea Room Fat Rascals recipe: https://www.food.com/recipe/bettys-of...

Yum! I can't wait to try them with a cup of tea!

I received an arc of this new mystery from the author and publisher via Net Galley. My review is voluntary and the opinions expressed are my own.

A murder story set on a steam railway in West Yorkshire. The investigating team is well portrayed, some of the other characters are more one dimensional . Occasional dialect used, which is ok, but I am not wild about (I come from Yorkshire) . Not a bad read, not particularly suspensful but the crimes do make sense. The scenary is well described and you do get a good impression of the area and the people living tbere ..
Thanks to Net Galley for the ARC in exchange for an honest review

Thank you @amazonpublishing
& @netgalley for the E-Arc of ᴛʜᴇ ʀᴀɪʟᴡᴀʏ ᴍᴜʀᴅᴇʀs.
Pub date: 9th Nov 2022
The opinions are my own.
🚃
Ⓜⓨ Ⓣⓗⓞⓤⓖⓗⓣⓢ 💭
This is the eight book in the Yorkshire Murder Muysteries.
A murder mystery that is reminiscent of a classic Agatha Christie with shades of Alfred Hitchcock thrown in.
The book has only six chapters, each beginning with an interesting paragraph about a daily murder mystery or book.
The writing is pretty straightforward and leads us smoothly into the plot.
A quiet Yorkshire town is buzzing with the excitement of A film crew shooting at A historic railway station.
A murder on the moving train during shooting sets off a mood quite similar to that in Murder On The Orient Express. I enjoyed the no nonsense attitude DCI Oldroyd, along with his colleague Steph and his intuitiveness towards the case was commendable. The book is very atmospheric which added charm to the plot and it was easy to visualise the setting since Yorkshire is a very scenic place ( I have visited it ). The insight into the actor's real lives was interesting and informative.
There were a few loopholes I had an issue with but overall, a good yet difficult locked-room murder mystery, an enjoyable read.

Another great read from J.R Ellis , this series keeps getting better and better.
DCI Jim Oldroyd loves locked room mysteries and he excels at solving them , this particular mystery involves a rail compartment where an actor is murdered.
The story involves revenge , deceit and murder all wrapped up in a quick , easy and enjoyable read.
Oldroyd is a complex character and at times wears his heart on his sleeve , but I enjoy his straight forward Yorkshire attitude and his character makes the books a joy to read.
The writing is excellent and moves at a fair pace , and makes for an all round entertaining read. Looking forward to the next in the series.
Highly recommended!
Thanks to NetGalley and Amazon Publishing UK.

I enjoyed this tale of murder in a locked train car that takes place during a film shoot. The details of the train aficionados and the film people were a treat. What starts as an intriguing murder mystery in a lovely location morphs into something more sinister and violent. Oldroyd and his team work well to find the killer before more people are killed including someone they care about.
Thanks to NetGalley for providing an advanced reader's eGalley.

Take a quaint, authentic steam engine driven railroad, add a film crew producing an Edwardian themed movie, add a picturesque location and what do you have? Murder.

When an actor, the sole passenger, is found dead in his compartment when the train pulls into the station, DCI Jim Oldroyd and his team are called in to investigate. The actor, an unlikeable womanizer who has been passed by the MeToo movement, has enemies. There are many, including ex-wives, former girlfriends hurt by his constant philandering, husbands of those girlfriends, creditors and more. As Oldroyd works through interviews with suspects, another murder changes everything.

Each chapter of The Railway Murders begins with a reference to a long ago movie or story that featured a train.This delightful technique keeps attention focused on the train and the rich history of steam railways in the Yorkshire area. As always, J. R. Ellis’ Yorkshire murder mysteries are character and plot driven and totally satisfying. 5 stars.

Thank you to NetGalley, Amazon Publishing UK and J. R. Ellis for this ARC.

I thank Amazon Publishing and Netgalley for an Advance Reader Copy of this book.

A film group is at the Wharfedale Bridge Inn preparing for filming of some scenes at the Wharfdale Railway. The actors are all in Edwardian costume. Actor Daniel Hayward goes into a railway car by himself, and other actors are in other cars. The train backs out of the station and goes through a tunnel. Then it goes forward to the station. Hayward, the character who has just inherited a fancy home is supposed to come out to greet the family and housekeeper of the home. When he doesn't exit the car, they enter it and find Hayward dead, shot in the side of his head. Hayward is a difficult man to like. He was a womanizer, is always late to arrive, and difficult to work with. He thus has many enemies. Interestingly, he has had relationships with at least two of the others involved with the film, including the director's wife.

Detective Chief Inspector Jim Oldroyd is out bird watching when he gets a call from Bob Craven who needs his help at Oldthwaite Station. The dead man was alone in the railway car, and the train only stopped to move forward in front of many people. There are lots of possible culprits, but the biggest problem is to figure out how they managed to kill him when he was alone in the car. There was no connection between the cars, so someone would have had to step out of one car to the ground and then entered another which would have been impossible when the train was moving. When a railway enthusiast gets an idea of what happened, he is shot and killed. Well into the story, when a good suspect still hasn't been identified, Oldroyd gets a clue about Haywood's past from his boss who has been away on vacation. This allows Oldroyd to determine the perp and allows for a very exciting end.

This 8th book in the series is very well done.

This is my first book in this series, it is a cozy Agatha Christie type story. A murder in a small private railroad car, no one who worked on the train, an old fashioned steam engine, no one on the movie set, an added bonus, a film crew was onsite also, which leaves the intrepid Inspector Oldroyd with a plethora of suspects. I liked the main characters, it is the type of mystery where you curl up with hot cocoa, a throw, and your favorite reading space, and spend a few hours in another place, and forget the present . Although not a historical mystery, it reads like an old fashioned story, my favorite genre are Historical Mysteries, so that is a good thing. I did think what world are these people living in when a murder takes place and the main detective asks his partner to come and stay with him at this Spa type Inn where the main attraction is hiking on the moors!? Really? Okay, at least the character addresses this unbelievable scenario. I recommend for those looking for an escape for a few hours. I tried to give it a 3.5
Thank you #Netgalley #AmazonPublishingUK
carolintallahassee

Though The Railway Murders is the eighth in the delightful Yorkshire Murder Mysteries series, it doesn't heavily rely on previous volumes to ensure a fabulous reading experience. It is written in the locked-room style with a heaping helping of wonderful wit and keen observations. Red herrings are sprinkled throughout, simple yet effective.

DCI Oldroyd has been asked to investigate a crime right up his alley...tricky and unique. His detecting team and his partner Deborah find themselves smack dab in the middle of danger on all sides. Filming of a historical movie has not gone entirely as planned as a very dead body appears in a train scene. The body is that of a disliked and entitled actor whose list of enemies isn't exactly short. When Deborah goes missing the investigation kicks into high gear. But there's more.

The gorgeous Yorkshire setting and food and nature descriptions are my favourite aspects as they add such beauty to an already good story. I also really liked the clever book and film blurbs as chapter headings. The characters are a bit undeveloped but then I am a character-driven reader.

Mystery readers who enjoy their murders on the light side ought to enjoy this refreshingly clean book. It's cozy yet has substance.

My sincere thank you to Amazon Publishing UK and NetGalley for the privilege of reading this charming book.

The Railway Murders is the eight book in the Yorkshire Murder Mystery series about DCI Jim Oldroyd and his loyal team of detectives solving old fashioned locked room crimes inspired by the Golden Age classics, but set in the present. I’ve read them all in order so know the characters well, but in this case this was a disadvantage, as this one seems to follow much the same formula as some of the others, so I was unfortunately rather bored by it.

Oldroyd is called in to investigate the murder of an actor inside an old steam train being used in a scene from a historical movie. The killer somehow got inside the compartment while the train was moving towards the station, shot his victim, then escaped despite the scene being filmed and the station being full of witnesses. The deceased was a known womaniser and debtor so lots of people could’ve wanted him dead - but who could’ve pulled off this apparently impossible crime?

These books are nicely written cosyish mysteries where the Yorkshire setting is a major feature. I like Oldroyd and his partner Deborah, who plays a bigger role here - although dislike the overused trope of the detective’s family being targeted - especially when it actually made no sense. Steph also features more than her work and romantic partner Andy, and while she’s a good hardworking police officer, it’s Oldroyd who makes all the key deductive leaps. The plot moved slowly and there’s an awful lot of talking. The reveal was a bit underwhelming - information is serendipitously revealed late which opens up the case and it’s all then solved rather too easily. There’s also too much coincidence holding the plot together (in both senses of the word.) I’ve enjoyed this series so far but am not sure that I’ll continue it as it’s getting too repetitive.

Thanks to NetGalley and Thomas & Mercer for the ARC. I am posting this honest review voluntarily.
The Railway Murders is published on November 9th.

The filming of a movie scene on a train in Yorkshire didn’t go as planned. The actor in the scene turned up late, when the crew begins filming they discover that a curtain has been drawn over the window of the train compartment, obscuring any view of the actor in the scene. And finally when the train pulls in, he fails to exit the train compartment as expected. Unfortunately he’s dead, shot in the head, in an empty compartment that couldn’t have been accessed while it was moving.

The Railway Murders was my introduction to DCI Oldroyd and his team. The premise of victim alone in a compartment on a moving train made for an interesting “locked room” mystery. I really enjoyed the start of each chapter, which began with a description of different famous films, all of which involved railways in their plots. Lots of suspects and red herrings to keep the reader guessing. And while I did think that the last chapter could have been cut down quite a bit, the book as a whole made for an entertaining read.

A good police procedural with a nod to filmmaking and traditional mystery writers.

I have read quite a few of the books in this series now and enjoy them very much. I especially like the Yorkshire setting which takes me back to where I went to University. I was excited when the Strid was mentioned too. It is a beautiful, very scenic place.

The Railway Murders sees DCI Oldroyd investigating the murder of an actor on a train. It is another angle on the locked room mystery theme as the victim was on his own in a compartment on a moving train. How did the killer get in and out of the compartment without being observed? A second person is murdered, another abducted and it turns into a major crime indeed.

I enjoyed all the police work and the characters who make a great team. Some of the plot was furthered by hunches, but they were always valid ones based on facts, not guess work. There were plenty of suspects and a solution to how the murder was done, but it takes a policeman's memory of the past to introduce the vital clue that solves the case. Highly recommended especially if you like your mysteries set in England and even more so if you like steam trains.

I'm so happy to read a locked room mystery and it's really a locked room mystery.
This is a well plotted and entertaining story, the puzzle was not easy to solve and the mystery kept me guessing.
Entertaining and gripping.
Highly recommended.
Many thanks to the publisher for this arc, all opinions are mine

A puzzling locked-room mystery that puts someone Oldroyd loves in terrible danger. One of the film’s stars has been shot dead in a train carriage while the cameras rolled outside. Scouring the victim’s past for clues, Oldroyd soon unearths a string of heartbroken lovers and a mountain of unpaid debts, each adding to the growing list of suspects. This was not my first book in this series. I have also read book 1 of the series which was a great introduction to the series. I enjoyed this book as much as book 1. This book was a locked-room mystery which was most interesting and really threw them a curve ball. I did enjoy the beginning of each chapter where they described different movies with railways in them. In the end, the mystery was solved and I was satisfied how the book turned out. If you like locked-room mysteries then you will love this book. I would like to thank Thomas and Mercer and NetGalley for a copy for an honest review.

This is book 8 in the series, and offers a good update on the relationship between Oldroyd and Deborah. In this case, he is called in to help an old friend on his case, but soon finds himself and Deborah in the middle of the case, that seems to be one that Agatha would love, for it's closed train setting! As another body happens, Oldroyd soon finds himself searching for motif in the unlikely of places- the past. It's a pageturner that fans of the series will love, and newcomers will appreciate as well!

When a film shoot on Wharfedale’s vintage railway turns into a grisly crime scene, DCI Oldroyd’s idyllic visit to the countryside with his partner Deborah is well and truly stopped in its tracks. One of the film’s stars has been shot dead in a train carriage while the cameras rolled outside. Scouring the victim’s past for clues, Oldroyd soon unearths a string of heartbroken lovers and a mountain of unpaid debts, each adding to the growing list of suspects. A potential connection to a previous tragedy offers Oldroyd a much-needed lead. When a railway worker starts joining the dots, they are quickly silenced—for good. But as Oldroyd gets ever closer to the truth, it’s only a matter of time before he is given a chilling warning to back off.
The eighth book in the series & it’s easily read on its own. I’m loving this series as the characters are well portrayed & have depth, the pace is good & I’m kept guessing whilst loving the authors descriptions of my home county. There are plenty of twists, turns & red herrings & I found myself engrossed in the whodunit & burned the midnight oil to finish it. I recommend not only this book but the whole series
My honest review is for a special copy I voluntarily read

Thank you to #NetGalley and #Thomas&Mercer for my copy of #TheRailwayMurders by JREllis
This is the 8th book in the DCI Jim Oldroyd series.
A film is being made on one of Wharfedales historic railway stations, when in full view of everyone one of the actors is murdered..
And no one saw anything ! Jim’s talent at working out bizarre crimes is well known in the area and he and his team are called in to help.

A clever mystery with reminders of great Golden Age locked room/impossible crimes set on a train. Set in the modern day but on a vintage train being filmed for a historical piece when an actor is killed in a carriage while moving. Of course, there seems no way the killer could get in or out without someone seeing them.

Filled with red herrings, multiple suspects with hidden motives, suspense and well-developed characters that face emotional dramas of their own keep, along with tidbits of crimes novels and movies that take place on trains, the novel is a nod to the Golden Age of Mystery but still is very modern.

Plus, there are beautifully written scenes of the wonders of Yorkshire in the Springtime. These bucolic passages are very poetic.

I definitely recommend this and look forward to reading more in this series.

Thanks to Netgalley and the publisher for an ARC in return for an honest opinion.

An intricate plot with a “locked door” mystery is the highlight of this 8th entry of the Yorkshire Murder Mysteries Series by J.R. Ellis. DCI Oldroyd receives a call to investigate a murder on the set of a period film at a railway museum. As is often the case, the seeds of this murder spring from the past.

In this eighth novel featuring DCI Oldroyd set in rural Yorkshire, a film shoot on Wharfedale’s vintage railway turns into a deadly crime scene. The actors and film crew are kept in place as the investigation proceeds, with personality clashes and suspicions bubbling to the surface. The locked room mystery provides a challenge to DCI Oldroyd and his team, but it is the varied cast of characters that proves to be the most challenging and interesting component of this fascinating mystery.

Entertaining and easy to read.

While making a film, actor Dan Hayward is shot dead in a railway carriage - but how did the murderer get in and out? The case is a tricky one, so the local police call in DCI Jim Oldroyd to help out.

I like mysteries set on trains, and I also like locked room mysteries, so this was right up my street. I liked how the author gave the reader pieces of information that the police didn't have as it made me feel part of the investigation. I did find a couple of things frustrating, but on the whole the story was well done. The resolution was satisfying, and I found it an exciting read.

This was the 8th book in a series and I haven't read any of the others, but I think it works well as a standalone. There are a few references to earlier books but at most they are minor spoilers so I don't think it's necessary to have read them all before you read this one.

Overall a very competent mystery and one that I enjoyed reading. 3.5☆

I'd like to thank the publishers, Amazon Publishing UK, and Netgalley for kindly providing me with an advance release copy. All opinions are my own.

A movie is being filmed on a historic train. The whole town is excited...except for one interesting person. The actors aren't the top of the heap, but they are name-brand authors. All is going well until one of the actors turns up dead on the train. It turns out that he's not a finalist for Person of the Year. He's made lots of enemies. Which means lots of suspects.

DCI Oldroyd has his work cut out for him and his team. But when his partner, Deborah, is kidnapped and the ransom is that he has to withdraw from the case, things get very interesting.

The story moves along at a wonderful pace. The characters are well developed. The author is able to bring in other elements of the main characters' lives without diverting the story. I highly recommend this book for lovers of a good English mystery.

I am loving this series, it gets better with every new book. A story with many twists which had me gripped throughout

There's nothing wrong, really, with these Yorkshire Murder Mysteries, but wow are they slow moving. A bit of adrenaline would do wonders.

As I read this book I compared it to Agatha Christie’s Murder on the Orient Express. There has been a murder on a train of someone who is not very likable at all. But that is where the similarities end. In Ellis’ book, we have a locked room mystery during a short scene of the making of a movie.

What I liked about this story was that I was working alongside DCI Oldroyd in figuring out motives, suspects, and other clues. The story felt a bit slow paced, but every now and then there was an exciting discovery that came out of nowhere. Those moments were particularly fun. Sometimes the reader got a special sneak peak that the detective didn’t get.

I did have a few criticisms, which is why I gave this book 3 stars. I felt that some of the dialogue was unrealistic and perhaps a little robotic. I had a hard time remembering a lot of the characters, especially in the beginning as there were a lot of people – from the cast to the police force to the train workers. I had a hard time remembering all the names. I also think that since there were so many people, I never really felt attached to anyone. Lastly, I wasn’t sure how realistic the police work was. Perhaps I’m ignorant, but I felt in modern day police work that this case would have been able to be solved a lot sooner. If simple background checks were used, this would have been a much shorter book!

This book is still special. It makes you ask yourself what is right and what is wrong. You have an unlikable character who gets killed. They are disrespectful, demeaning, rude, and a drunk. No one cared that he died. Did the killer do the world a service? Is revenge always a bad thing? What is justice? This story makes you question what is moral.

I would recommend this book for people who like detective novels, locked room murders, and crimes that take place on trains.

I have read a lot of books over the years and the only one I’ve struggled with; started and given up many times, was Emma (Jane Austin).
The Railway Murders came close to being the second - so Mr Ellis you are in very esteemed company!!
I can’t quite work out why - there is nothing inherently bad or wrong - it just couldn’t hook me in and it’s taken me two months to work through as I just had many other books that gripped me more.
Set in the beautiful Yorkshire Dales and based around a film in production and action focussed on a steam railway station, I felt this murder mystery lacked depth in the characters- they felt contrived and stereotypical. Too much description resulted in it feeling slow paced for me.

In the railway murders detective chief inspector Oldroyd and his team, including his trusted assistants Stef and Andy, have to solve another "closed room" murder mystery. Only this time the closed room is actually a train compartment on the Wharfedale’s vintage railway.
During the recordings for a movie at the Wharfedale’s vintage railway one of the actors is killed in a closed compartment. As it turns out the victim wasn't at all popular amongst his colleagues, friends and family so the chief inspector is spoiled for suspects. When he decides to invite his partner Deborah to join him at the village where the murder has taken place so they can enjoy the scenery and take some hikes, things take a turn for the worse and the suspense is rising.

Like the previous episodes I liked this instalment in the Oldroyd series. There is a real development in the characters throughout the series and I love the descriptions of the landscape and the quaint places. Makes me want to visit the Yorkshire area.
Full marks for this one

I thank Netgalley for providing me with an ARC of this book in exchange for my unbiased review.

I absolutely love the DCI Oldroyd series and I read them all.
DCI Oldroyd is a very likable character with a wonderful and supportive partner Deborah and a great team.
The mystery plot is as ever well written is enjoyable to read. The author's written work is always high standard indeed.
For me the star of the show is the amazing picturesque description of Yorkshire to the point that I have been nagging my husband to go there on a long weekend break!

Really great book, in fact really wonderful series :)

The Railway Murders is the eighth Yorkshire Murder novel and is yet another great. Wharfedale’s vintage steam railway is enjoying a little financial boost being selected as the setting for a period drama, on the morning of the big shoot on the train The caste are all ready, the lead character is ensconced on the vintage carriage, the train steams into the station and then. - nothing, no actor appears and every one waits thinking he’s milking his big moment, only the director moves to open the door and discovers the actor has been killed. Yet how was it possible, the vintage carriage has a door at each end both locked, and now way to get in or out into any of the other carriages? Detective Inspector Bob Craven at the Skipton police station who feels overwhelmed and decides he needs the help of his friend and colleague Detective Chief inspector Oldroyd. Oldroyd arrives with his DI and there’s another shooting the next morning. DCI Oldroyd decides as he’s going to have some long days working, he will get his partner, Deborah, to join him and she can enjoy some pampering while he is working and then they can enjoy the evenings together. A nice idea of Oldroyd’s that doesn’t quite go to plan.
A wonderful murder mystery that, just like all the previous novels by J R Ellis, each time you’re sure you know who did it, you realise that was just what the writer wanted you to think but actually , you’re wrong. Highly recommend this lovely series with its beautiful descriptions of Yorkshire.

Thank you to Net Galley and the publisher for this arc. The story was very entertaining and I enjoyed it a lot. I have not read the previous books in this series, and I will be seeking them out.

A complicated murder in Yorkshire.
I enjoyed the rustic setting of an Edwardian railway station which was well-described and atmospheric. The surrounding nature of the Dales was also captured. Each chapter began with mention of other movies and books that feature mysteries at railways/trains.
Overall an interesting read.

What a wonderful, easy to read book!! I couldn't turn the pages on my Kindle quickly enough, lol All the best bits of an Agatha Christie, think I've read most of her great books............but I still couldn't work out who the murderer was!! So many twists and turns and so may red herrings!!
1st of J.R.Ellis's books I have read but I will be proactively searching for his others!
Absolutely loved this book!!

Many thanx to NetGalley, the author and the publishers for allowing me to read and review this book.

This was a good mystery with an unusual locked room type of murder. I found Ellis' writing style straight forward and not sophisticated. There were a few oddities, such as characters addressing each other by name in almost every statement during a dialogue. That seemed odd as most people do not talk that way. Also, the police detectives laughed many times at the murder seen. I can take detectives smiling or even chuckling when coming upon a murder but laughing just did not seem right.

There is quite a bit of the story taken up with side issues, about the railroad, birds, and so on, not pertinent to the plot. As to the plot, past information comes to light late in the book, sort of out of the blue, which allows the murder to be solved quickly. Readers are precluded from figuring it out as the clues are few.

This is a good mystery for readers who don't mind distractions in the plot and an unsophisticated, straight forward writing style.

I received a complimentary egalley of this book from the publisher. My comments are an independent and honest review.

Love this author! Love the Yorkshire setting, and the plotting was truly first rate. The locked room mystery was by far the best I have read in the last several years and I look forward to the next installment.

DCI Oldroyd loves solving puzzling murders, and the one before him was no exception. He found himself up against a challenging puzzler with lots of tangled vines. To make matters worse, his partner has become part of that deadly tangled puzzle, and time was running out for her. It was exciting, gripping, and intriguing with a host of excellent characters.

The Railway Murders by J.R. Ellis

I received an advance review copy for free thanks to NetGalley and Amazon Books and I am leaving this review voluntarily.

Blurb

When a film shoot on Wharfedale’s vintage railway turns into a grisly crime scene, DCI Oldroyd’s idyllic visit to the countryside with his partner Deborah is well and truly stopped in its tracks. One of the film’s stars has been shot dead in a train carriage while the cameras rolled outside. But nobody else went in—or came out. Has the killer really pulled off the perfect, impossible crime?

Scouring the victim’s past for clues, Oldroyd soon unearths a string of heartbroken lovers and a mountain of unpaid debts, each adding to the growing list of suspects. But before he can determine who the culprit is, there’s the small matter of figuring out how they did it. A potential connection to a previous tragedy offers Oldroyd a much-needed lead…

Whoever the perpetrator is, they are ruthless and determined to avoid detection, and when a railway worker starts joining the dots, they are quickly silenced—for good. But as Oldroyd gets ever closer to the truth, it’s only a matter of time before he is given a chilling warning to back off.

My Opinion

This is a well-constructed murder mystery. I have read a few books in this series and I have enjoyed everyone so far. Living in the area it is nice to see recognisable places in these books. A lovely cosy mystery that is easy to read in one sitting.

Rating 4/5

Impossible crime mystery on a train - it doesn't get any better than that! The Railway Murders is the 8th Yorkshire Murder Mystery by J.R. Ellis. An actor is shot on a train during filming. I love the setting of this mystery. The author has an obvious love for Yorkshire and I enjoyed the descriptions of the area. I love locked-room/impossible crimes and this was a really good one. I did find the speech a bit formal at times. It didn't always sound natural. The characters were well-developed though and made for good suspects. I really liked the description of a book or film set on a train at the beginning of each chapter. That was really fun.

I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.

I really like this series....so much so, that I've purchased the 1st few books in the series! It's a quick, easy, fun read. I think the returning characters/investigators would be nice people to know in real life! The Yorkshire countryside is kind of a returning character in itself, & I think it would be nice to know too.....so this might be a bit of a tour/vacation! The quirky characters remind me of Louise Penny's mystery series....so that is great company to be in! In this story DCI Oldroyd's team is called to solve a sort of a 'locked door' mystery involving a railroad car, & it expands from there. I didn't figure out the mystery on my own, & appreciated the explanation at the end. This is something everyone can enjoy....there's no sex, bad language or gore......but very curious detecting!
I received an e-ARC from Amazon Publishing UK via NetGalley for review purposes. These are my own honest opinions.

This belongs to the locked room mystery category. The story is set on a train. I haven't read any other books by the author. But after reading this, I'm excited to read some other books by the author.

It was a good read. I loved how the author maintained a sense of mystery throughout the book. All the characters were made equally suspicious. I loved how all the characters were represented. The mystery intensified as the story progressed. Even though the plot is made simple, the reader won't feel bored because of the narrative style.

A movie is being filmed in a small village railway station but then the main actor is found murdered in a locked carriage car. How did the killer get in the train car, commit the murder then disappear without being seen? DCI Oldroyd and his team are called in to investigate and then another body turns up. They have no idea what is going on but when DCI Oldroyds companion Deborah is kidnapped, they realize they must be getting closer. Now the situation is getting tenser and the stakes higher.
An cozy read but I just had a hard time staying interested in it. The story seemed to drag for me but others may enjoy that slow paced build up. I will definitely read another by this author too because one story is too little to judge all his books on.

I really enjoy this series and was pleased to get an arc.

I ALWAYS say this but will once again say it... why do the men get referred to by their surname but the women are always referred to by their first name?! This needs to get edited.

However overall I found it enjoyable and there were lots of twists and turns in this cosy murder mystery.